Page 39 of Ruthless Royalty

I cross my arms and lay my head on Cat’s shoulder. “What’s this about?”

“Mihai’s favorite part of Legacy Week,” Is all she says before Mihai speaks again.

What the fuck do they have planned now?

“Gather around,” Mihai says, his voice carrying that authoritative edge that leaves no room for argument.

We all move in closer, exchanging wary glances. I know most of them aren’t particularly fond of Mihai. He’s the type whoenjoys exerting his power just a little too much, always testing our limits to see who will break first.

I can say I’m lucky being Nikolai’s step-sister, since he doesn’t take his power out on me. He knows I can take what he gives.

“The Day of Silence is now in effect,” Mihai announces, folding his arms across his chest. “No talking, no communicating in any way. Nothing. You will each have a mic attached to you throughout the day, and the Crowns will know if you break your silence.”

Fucking great.

I feel a flicker of irritation, but I don’t let it show. Of course Mihai would come up with something like this. It’s all part of their twisted games, their way of seeing who has the discipline, the control, to stay silent in the face of everything.

I steal a glance at the others, trying to gauge their reactions. Some of them look nervous, while others seem more intrigued than anything else.

I catch Giovanni’s eye, and can already see his smirk forming beneath his mask. Asshole. Rolling my eyes, I quickly look away, focusing on Mihai again.

“Remember,” Mihai continues, his gaze sweeping over us. “This isn’t just about keeping quiet. It’s about discipline, self-control. You’ll be tested today, in more ways than one. Don’t disappoint us.”

With that, he steps back, nodding to a few men who approach us with small devices. One by one, we’re fitted with the mics, the tiny pieces of tech clipped onto our clothes in a way that makes them almost invisible.

I barely feel it, but the weight of it is heavy, a constant reminder that every breath I take is being monitored. When the last mic is handed out, Mihai gives us a final once-over before stepping back.

“Go about your day as usual, but remember—silence.”

With that, he turns and turns away, leaving us standing there in tense silence. For a moment, none of us move, as if we’re all waiting to see who will crack first. But then, slowly, we begin to disperse, each of us heading off to whatever part of the estate we’re supposed to be in.

The school day starts off like any other, the halls buzzing with the usual chatter and energy. But for us, the ten initiates, there’s an added layer of tension. We’re all hyper-aware of each other, of the silence hanging between us. It’s almost suffocating.

Leo had to leave the estate for personal reasons, and I feel a pang of unease as I walk through the halls alone. Normally, his presence is a constant source of comfort and support. But today, I’m on my own.

I make it through the morning without too much trouble, keeping to myself and avoiding unnecessary interactions. But as lunchtime approaches, I find myself growing more and more on edge. The silence is starting to wear on me, the urge to say something—anything—gnawing at my resolve.

And that’s when Giovanni decides to make his move, because of course he does.

I’m sitting outside on one of the stone benches, my lunch untouched beside me as I stare off into the distance, trying to drown out the noise of the other students. Suddenly, Giovanni appears, dropping down beside me with a casual ease that makes my skin prickle.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just sits there, his presence heavy and unavoidable. I can feel his eyes on me, a slow, deliberate gaze that sends a shiver down my spine. I ignore him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

But the fucker is nothing if not persistent.

“Morning, Kitten,” his voice purrs from next to me, low and teasing.

I sigh, resisting the urge to snap back at him. He knows damnwell I can’t talk today, and I can already tell he’s going to make it his mission to get under my skin.

I continue to eat my fries, refusing to acknowledge him, but of course, he’s not going to make it that easy. After a few minutes of silence, he leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear.

God, his cologne smells so good.

“How long do you think you can keep this up, Chiara?” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing. “You’re dying to say something, aren’t you?”

I grit my teeth, staring straight ahead. I’m not going to let him get to me. He can flirt, tease, do whatever the hell he wants—I’m not breaking.

“Come on,” he coaxes, his tone playful. “Just one little word. It won’t hurt. And if you get in trouble, I’ll take the blame. Promise.”

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